I have played Oblivion several times. I created a stat maxed char, before completing any quests. With the exception of a few to gain access to the Mage tower. I have a save file at that piont, that I use it when I start a new game. This lets me be any type of char, without worry of the leveling system.

I am new to Morrowind, and just started a few days ago. I was reading through the threads, and noticed that some posts mentioned, items that were only available in certain levels.

Are these items of any bearing or power?

I feel, that if I don't level efficiently, I'm shooting myself in the foot. But, when you try to do that, you find yourself training all the time and not playing the game. That is why I just spend a few days, and grind out a char. Then I can play the whole game, and get totally immersed into the story, without it being broken up, to ensure optimum leveling.

Does it make any sense to grind for levels, through action and/or training, prior to actually starting the game?

Just wondering if I was alone on this, and looking for some input, as well as potentially missed items.

Thanks Guys

Depends on what kind of player you are.

Theoretically it's the best way to play the game, but if you're into roleplaying, it's just plain-boring.
At first it can come in handy to be able to kill every enemy with a single strike, but then the game woud start to svck just because of the lack of challenge.

But that's just my opinion, i start the game and level up while playing..

@ MeDax

Nice sig...Those guys are pretty cool. I got most, if not all, my money for training from those dudes.

I am into the role playing as much as the action. By removing the worry of leveling from the equation, I can concentrate on the RPG as well as the action, and not have to think about changing weapons or tactics in the middle of a fight. The boring part lies in the grinding, to set the character up. After that, you can start there, with any future playthroughs. And, play any type of character from that point, or change tactics on the fly. I'm wondering about loosing out on things (quests and/or items) by doing this.

The problem to me is that the initial grinding is totally against RP, it's like playing two different games. In my first few games I spent the first 9 or 10 levels without leaving Balmora just leveling and counting skills to max my attributes. I found the result to be very boring but the way the vanilla system works tempts you to do this, I know. The best part of Morrowind is the adventure and the building of skill gradually. Most of the early quests for any faction will be annoyingly easy to a buffed character and you'll find no reason to explore minor caves and tombs because there will little risk or reward for doing so.

BTW: Welcome to the forums.

Unlike Oblivion, difficulty scales very little so once your at a high level with max stats, there is no challenge except in the expansions. There are few if any items that require a certain level to get except for leveled list stuff; you need to be level 3 to advance in the MQ but that's about it. All non MQ uniques are always available, at least in theory. A mod like GCD might be worth looking at if you're on PC to remove some of the need to grind.

@ frag

Hay, thanks for the welcome. You're right. The grinding part isn't RP, and it is like playing two diff games. I also agree that the game is to be enjoyable from the "grow-as-you-go" standpoint. That why they created all the diff classes to chose at the start. But, being anol about progression, and giving in to the temptation of optimum leveling, I fall short of being able to do that. It has it's drawbacks. Without a doubt. But, it makes no difference about your starting class, as all stats end up 100 anyway. A custom class, with all 30's and 15's, gives me the insurance of a 100 Luck. I will always take Shadow Birthsign, to use the Inviso ability, from the start to farm Ordinators for gold, until I get strong enough to take them on head on.

It does come down to what you enjoy. That's why we play them. There's just sooo much to do, outside of combat, I can't get bored with the game itself. I can change from one class to another, when I get tired of playing one for a while. It's amazing how great these games are, and still prompt new players to them. Even after 9 YEARS from the release date. That says something.